Rent- a- minority

It’s the name of a real but satirical website that while merely a joke, seeks to point to a reality that is true. With trending hashtags like #allwhiteOscars, people are talking about and protesting places and companies that do not reflect the obvious multicultural America. Diversity is in demand and the site aims to provide a steady supply, which include the “ethnically ambiguous”, the “cheerful woman of color”, the “smiling Muslim woman” and the “intellectual black guy.” It’s tagline reads: “We have a minority for every occasion.”

The creator, Mahdawi, wants to bring attention to how business leaders think of minorities. To be sure, it is about tokenism not tickling our funny bone. The Atlantic highlights the website in a recent article (that includes an interview) to point out that companies and their leaders who seek ways to diversify their image for inauthentic reasons. It is a conversation starter not a place for commercial transactions.